Aon Acquires Reputational Risk Data and Analytics Capabilities

Aon plc has acquired data and analytics capabilities for reputational risk from Pentland Analytics, a provider of advanced analytics and advisory services.

The transactions included Pentland's reputation crisis database, proprietary modeling algorithms, and a cloud-based Web app for clients.

The reputation crisis database Aon acquired provides insight into the effect of sudden and unexpected events on shareholder value with data on 340 corporate events spanning the last 40 years across all regions of the world and all major industries.

"In our highly volatile world, organizations are increasingly exposed to the impact crises have on reputation and shareholder value," Richard Waterer, global risk consulting leader for Commercial Risk Solutions at Aon, said in a statement. "This acquisition builds on our previous work with Pentland to bring our clients insights and tools to better understand and prepare for the impact of reputational crises on shareholder value."

Since 2017, Aon and Pentland Analytics have collaborated to produce independent, universal, and industry-specific research focused on why some organizations succeed and emerge stronger after a crisis while others do not.

"Aon and Pentland have a shared interest in understanding reputational crises to help organizations address and mitigate related risks. This acquisition is an exciting evolution of our relationship," Dr. Deborah Pretty, founder of Pentland Analytics, said in the statement. "Under Aon's stewardship, multinational firms around the world will continue to receive insights and analytics on share price performance following reputation crises, and advice on how to drive favorable outcomes."

Dr. Pretty will serve as a consultant to Aon during the transition of these assets, while continuing to operate Pentland Analytics, the independent firm she founded.